802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: Sept. 23, 2014

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LOCAL 802 MEET AND GREET
IS CANCELED

Due to a number of unexpected and pressing Local 802 campaigns that require the full attention of our staff, it is with regret that we must announce that our annual fall Meet and Greet that had been scheduled for this Wednesday, Sept. 24 has been canceled. We deeply regret having to do this at the last minute.

For everyone who already responded, including new members and all of the musicians who performed at the New York Musical Theatre Festival or the New York International Fringe Festival this year, you will automatically be included on the guest list when we hold the event next year. Thank you.

ANNOUNCING A FREE WORKSHOP

"LEGAL 101 FOR MUSICIANS"

MusiCares is pleased to present legal basics for the music community. Led by music attorney Judy Tint, this free workshop will provide an overview of fundamental topics including different types of music industry contracts, the rights of artists and songwriters, the key elements of an artist's team and various sources of music income. Musicians and music industry professionals are encouraged to attend. To register, click here.

THANK YOU TO ALL MUSICIANS WHO JOINED LOCAL 802 AT THE PEOPLE'S CLIMATE MARCH ON SUNDAY! It was an historic event and Local 802 was honored to lead the labor contingent! If you took any photos, you may share them with us by posting to our Facebook page here. We'll publish some of our best shots in an upcoming issue of Allegro.

MUSICIAN ALERTS: BEFORE YOU TAKE THESE GIGS,
GET THE FACTS!

1. If you get called to play with recording artist Jackie Evancho, please click here!

2. If you get called to play with the Miami Symphony Orchestra, please click here!

3. If you get called to play with the South Florida Symphony (formerly the Key West Symphony), please click here!

Will you help the Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund continue its work on your behalf?

Dear musician,

Your donation to the Local 802 Musicians' ERF supports a unique & dedicated safety net, coming to the aid of your brother and sister members in their times of dire need. The ERF was created for musicians and funded by musicians. We are taking care of our own!

Whether the problem is one of serious illness, homelessness, addiction, alcoholism, family & relationship crises, or the sustained loss of income, the ERF and the office of our Musicians' Assistance Program (MAP) are ready to help.

Completely confidential services for members and their families are available at MAP without charge. Money to directly pay doctors, landlords, utilities, and other creditors comes in the form of grants from the ERF.

It takes a lot of cash to make this all happen and the need has never been greater!

Your tax-deductible donation is critical to our mission.

Any amount you may choose is deeply appreciated. Your generous gift to the ERF will be recognized on our list of supporters (with your permission, of course) on the new ERF website.

Please support us now by clicking here. (Or click on this button below:)

You may also send your check, payable to "Local 802 Musicians' ERF" to: Emergency Relief Fund, Attention: Andy Schwartz, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036

Thank you,

Andy Schwartz, Fundraising Coordinator

Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund

P.S. Are you planning your estate? Will you please consider the ERF in those plans? Contact us to discuss this important legacy gift!

Any other questions on donating to the ERF? Click here to send us an e-mail.

FREE PILATES CLASSES FOR

MUSICIANS!

Local 802 offers free, ongoing Pilates classes for musicians. These techniques to build core strength and de-stress the body. Being physically fit is key to a long, pain-free performance career.

Whether you stand or sit to perform, your body takes a beating over time. Do you experience a chronically sore back, "stuck" shoulders, a stiff neck, or maybe shooting pains running down a leg? These are among the most common complaints of hard working musicians. These types of conditions tend to get worse, unless you do something. Join us to get a better body, week by week. You'll start feeling the benefits from the first class.

To learn more and register, click here. (We'll give you the times, dates and locations once you register.)

Hearing services for musicians: www.EastSideHearing.com

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Musicians: do you have a legal concern? Click the link below to reach Local 802's lawyer Harvey S. Mars:

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

To respond to this newsletter directly or to give any comments, click here

To reach Local 802 by phone, call (212) 245-4802. For more information on our services and departments, see www.Local802afm.org

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. E-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org for more information.

Local 802 AFM

322 West 48th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-4802

Mikael Elsila is the editor of Allegro magazine and the 802 NOTES electronic newsletter. He can be reached at: Allegro@Local802afm.org

THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF ALLEGRO IS ONLINE NOW

Great news: Allegro is number one! Our publication won first place for general excellence in its circulation class among all other labor publications in New York City! The annual labor journalism contest is sponsored by the Metropolitan Labor Communications Association.

TAX TIPS FOR MUSICIANS
How do you "depreciate" your instrument to reduce your taxable income? Click here!

THE UNFAIR LIST: DO NOT PERFORM FOR THESE EMPLOYERS!

The current AFM UNFAIR LIST can be found here.
AFM musicians are prohibited from working for these employers.

Also, if you get called to play with Jackie Evancho, the Miami Symphony or the South Florida Symphony, see warning box elsewhere on this page!

CELEBRATING IMAGES OF WORKING AMERICA

Visual artist Ralph Fasanella (1914-1997) celebrated the common person and tackled complex issues of postwar America in colorful, socially minded paintings. Local 802 has several images by Fasanella on display, including some in the Executive Board room. An exhibit of Fasanella is currently taking place at the American Folk Art Museum, through Dec. 1.

This is a graphic of the symbol for health care

LOCAL 802 ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ITS HEALTH PLAN

MUSICIANS: GET HEALTH INSURANCE UNDER OBAMACARE?

$30K SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR LABOR STUDIES

The Murphy Institute has launched a new scholarship in labor studies. The scholarship is substantial: up to $30,000 for graduate students and up to $20,000 for undergraduates. Apply now! For more information, click here. (Also, information on a diversity scholarship is available here.)

DO YOU CONTRACT MUSICIANS? IF SO, YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT LOCAL 802'S BRAND-NEW...

CONTRACTOR'S CHECKLIST

Click here to read it now.

CLICK HERE
IF YOU WANT TO HELP KEEP THE UNION STRONG

HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

Have you ever lost a gig because your client or bandleader thought you were too old? What can you do about it? Click here to read the article that everyone is talking about, from the February 2013 issue of our union magazine Allegro. Let's blow the lid wide open on one of the most taboo subjects in the music industry: age discrimination. Tell us your story of age discrimination -- or give us feedback -- by sending us a confidential e-mail here .

Have you visited the Local 802 FACEBOOK PAGE yet?

If not, you've missed out on exclusive stories and announcements.

Get special tips, and network with other musicians on our Facebook page. Click here to get started.

ALLEGRO CLASSIFIEDS

Do you want to see the BEST DEALS on used instruments and other services for musicians? Click here to check out the Allegro classifieds. To purchase a classified, click here.

LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

Did you know that there's a housing project for musicians where the rent is only $635 a month? Click here to learn more!

CAN MUSICIANS GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

If you are a Broadway musician and your show closes, can you apply for unemployment? Yes. While you are collectingunemployment, can you sub on other Broadway shows, teach lessons, and play other freelance gigs? Yes, but your unemployment check may be reduced.

What if you're a club date musician and your leader or office hasn't booked you on a wedding gig in months? Can you apply for unemployment in that case?

For the answer to that question and more information on musicians and unemployment benefits, click here to read a story written by Local 802's counsel Harvey Mars with the Workers Defense Fund.

WANT TO HELP MUSICIANS, MAKE CONNECTIONS AND HAVE FUN?

Interns at Local 802 make a tremendous impact on the lives of musicians while gaining valuable experience and connections. You or someone you know can help us make a big difference. The union is now accepting applications for interns. Spread the word and click here for more information!

NEED FINANCIAL AID?

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND?

The Emergency Relief Fund helps musicians in need. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a directed grant to the musician's creditors; for example, to a landlord, physician, etc. The eligibility requirements are:

A minimum of two years' membership in the union;
Union membership in good standing, with all dues paid;
"Dire need" as defined by the fund's trustees. This can include: threat of gas, electric or telephone cutoff; eviction; medical debts; costs incurred due to the theft of instruments; auto repairs vital to continued employment; and other emergencies.

To apply, contact the union's social worker Siena Shundi by clicking here or calling (212) 245-4802, ext. 180. Siena can also help you apply for other financial help from sources like the Actors' Fund and other relief organizations.

Click the ad above for info.

JAZZ JAM!

There is a jazz jam on most Mondays at Local 802 (322 West 48th Street), from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Joe Petrucelli at the Jazz Foundation of America at (212) 245-3999, ext. 10, or click here.

DO YOU HAVE MONEY WAITING FOR YOU?

Somtimes the union may have a check in your name, but no way to get it to you because your address is outdated. To see if there's money waiting for you, click here.

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. For more information, click here.

Click the ad above for info.